Reiki, Religion, and Spirituality

Reiki empowers natural healing energy in the hands of the students.

Reiki is not a religion or cult, it has no required beliefs, does not discourage or conflict with religious belief (or atheism). It does recommends a simple set of ideals for invitng happiness, that just for today: not to anger, not to worry, to be grateful, to work diligently, and to be kind to others. While some classes may mention 'new age' topics like guides, angels, and chakras it is not a required to believe for doing Reiki.

Religious and Spiritual people typically find that taking Reiki classes deepens their faith because it is a satisfyingly real demonstration that there really is more to the world than meets the eye.

Reiki's founder, Mikao Usui comes from a country where most people do not have the sense of belonging to only one religion. Commonly, people have Shinto ceremonies when a child is born, Christian marriage ceremonies, and Buddhist ceremonies when a child dies. Temples such as Reiki's Birthplace on Kurama Mountain have had both Buddhist and Shinto worship sites for hundreds of years. Stories connect Mikao Usui to all the major traditions of Buddhism, and he lived in a time period in Japan.He lived during a major resurgence of interest in Christianity, and in Shinto. While we have not found support of Hawayo Takata's story of Mikao Usui having been a Christian monk, some sources site Mikao Usui's most famous student, Chujiro Hayashi, as a Christian Methodist. Dr. Hayashi is the one who taught Reiki to Hayao Takata.

In my over twenty years of teaching, I have trained Catholic nuns and Buddhist priests ,Evangelists, and people who are Jewish and Hindu. I have trained Pagans, Mormons, Native Amercians, New Thought Ministers, scientists and atheists. As someone raised Unitarian Universalist, I support all in following their truth.

Reiki is more like Prayer than Magic

Reiki always works for the highest good, even when we don't always know what that is. This makes it more like prayer than magic. Most Reiki classes mention that when sending Reiki to strengthen relationships, one should be aware that Reiki works for the highest good, not necessarily our idea of what that would be.

Resources Endorsing Reiki for Different Religions

Here are some websites that embrace Reiki for their religion. Click the site name for a link to the site.

Christianity

ChristianReiki.org- This site describes Reiki, answers frequently asked questions on Reiki, has articles, and statements from nuns, priests and ministers, and a discussion of the US catholic bishops statement on Reiki.

A Reiki Healer - This site talks about her journey as a Christian doing Reiki, and some thoughtful commentary on common criticism.

Some Books on Amazon.com

What is Reiki? And what has it got to do with Christian healing? Alice Mindrum, Episcopal priest and Reiki master teacher, shares the story of Reiki and her own journey from being healed to becoming a healer. You will be introduced to how Reiki “works,” as well as the ways in which Reiki is taught, learned and practiced, particularly in the Christian context. (From the book description)

What is Reiki? And what has it got to do with Christian healing? Alice Mindrum, Episcopal priest and Reiki master teacher, shares the story of Reiki and her own journey from being healed to becoming a healer. You will be introduced to how Reiki “works,” as well as the ways in which Reiki is taught, learned and practiced, particularly in the Christian context. (From the book description)

One of the first books to offer a broadened understanding of the spiritual depth of Reiki healing touch by examining it in the light of one of the worlds enduring religions! Explore the origins of Reiki and the Hebraic roots of Jesus own healing ministry, and discover the use of Reiki in church, hospital, and hospice settings, as well as in the context of the treatment of cancer, chronic and terminal illness, and death and bereavement. (From the book description)

Judaism

"Reiki, “universal life energy” in Japanese, is more popular in Israel now than it was five years ago, says Eli Navon, Reiki teacher at the Israel Holyland Reiki Center and the School for Alternative Medicine in Kfar Saba." (Quote)

"Reiki for Peace is an organization of Arabs and Jews, Palestinians and Israelis who wish to live together in peace and dignity.
We believe that the practice of Reiki will support this dream. Let us put our hands on for Peace!" (Quote)